Hyperthermia in Cat

Hyperthermia is defined as a severe elevation in body temperature that ranges from 40.5 to 43 degree celsius after an animal has been exposed to elevated ambient temperature or has performed strenuous activity. Exertion or exercise by animals in locations with high environmental temperatures and elevated humidity can cause hyperthermia in as little as 30 minutes, particularly in animals without access to shade or the opportunity to cool down and rest. This can result in exertional heatstroke or exertional hyperthermia when animals cannot dissipate heat.

Cat tends to tolerate the heat a little better than dogs. This was not common, however cats can still suffer from overheating or heatstroke. Heat-related problems in the cat are not common possibly because the cat tends not to exercise in a hot environment. Cats are also very clever and smart about keeping themselves cool. Here are ways how they keep cool and to help them beat the summer months.

1. They conserve their energy – You may notice your cat take longer naps or being less active during the hot season, this was because cat knows that conserving energy during hot weather helps their core temperature down so they don’t overheat, cat tend to sleep preferably in a cool area out of direct sunlight and reserve their energy for the cooler part of the day or during night time.
2. Grooming themselves more – You may notice your cat groom itself more than normal during the hot season because cats can’t sweat like humans, they tend to groom to keep themselves cool.
3. Avoiding dehydration – Dehydration can seriously affect cats, making sure that leaving plenty of water in several locations around the house once the summer months start, some cats tend to drink less during the hot weather, but you can encourage them by placing ice cubes to their bowl.
4. Keep the blinds closed during summer – Indoor cat needs to have plenty of shelter from the blazing sun, so if you tend to leave the blinds fully open think again, sun’s rays quickly heat up a room leaving cats with little shelter during daylight hours, so if you must leave some of the shades open, opt for just one room and leave the remainder of the shades shut. This will keep the temperature down and give your cat much-needed shade.
5. Set up the air-conditioning to a conservative but comfortable temperature

Below are the symptoms of Hyperthermia:

• Excessive panting / respiratory distress
• Collapsed
• Vomiting
• Ataxia
• Hypersalivation
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Muscle tremors
• Altered level or loss of consciousness
• Vocalizing
• Stridor

If your cat shows any of the above symptoms, cool her down quickly as possible by immersing her in cool (not freezing) water and then wrapping her in wet towels, then take her to the nearest vet. Heatstroke can be fatal and always treated as an emergency. Contact ABVC at frontdesk@abvc.ae or call our clinic at 04 340 8601.

And get also tips and ways to protect dogs during summer.

Written by Dr. Alexandra Gulinescu, ABVC veterinarian.